priest

noun

ˈprēst How to pronounce priest (audio)
Definition of priestnext
as in preacher
a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church searched for a priest who could perform an exorcism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of priest Andreas had arranged for a local Catholic priest to hold a special Mass at the local church to mark the day of the eclipse. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026 There haven’t been any female popes, cardinals, archbishops or priests. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026 Even a local Catholic priest launched a holy war against the school over its new athletic facility. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 17 Aug. 2026 But then his family temple needed a priest, and his life onstage came to an end. — Pico Iyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for priest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for priest
  1. preacher
  2. cleric
  3. clergyman
  4. bishop
  5. minister
  6. deacon
  7. pastor
  8. reverend
Noun
  • In the movie, a local brothel — the Devil’s Playhouse — becomes the target of a TV preacher, forcing the town’s sheriff, who happens to be a frequent customer, to save it.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The son of a former preacher, the South Carolina native grew up around music.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of preacher
Noun
  • Iran's Assembly of Experts, a group of 88 clerics, picked the mid-ranking cleric with influence in the country's security forces and business networks to succeed his father, announcing the decision March 8.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The story begins in 1810, when Johann Wilhelm Ebel, a young cleric who had studied at the University of Königsberg, returned to the city as a teacher and preacher.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of cleric
Noun
  • Such details include McCartney’s bare feet and opposite stride and the other members’ attire (Lennon’s white supposedly represents a clergyman, Starr’s black a mourner, and Harrison’s denim a gravedigger).
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 July 2026
  • Robin, our hero, is the son of a country clergyman.
    — John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
Definition of clergyman
Noun
  • Among the mourners and dozens of clergy at Trinity Cathedral in midtown Sacramento on Thursday was a man who met Jerry Lamb just once but whose life the late bishop touched.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Man of books and learning Several of the videos show Athanasius of Alexandria, a fourth-century bishop and theologian traditionally considered one of the church fathers.
    — Denva Gallant, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
Definition of bishop
Noun
  • Some ministers also raised the idea of using billions of euros in frozen Russian assets to help meet more of Ukraine’s military and economic needs.
    — Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • For the past four years, the territory has been the domain of Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism party, who serves simultaneously as finance minister and as the minister in charge of the West Bank.
    — Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of minister
Noun
  • This summer, archaeologists uncovered a 1,700-year-old Byzantine city in Egypt, complete with a church and a deacon's home.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Church deacons want it to be called Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, its previous name.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of deacon
Noun
  • Among the hundred or so marchers was Gabrielle Montilus, pastor of the Pentecostal Church in Salisbury.
    — Nathan Lee, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The docuseries features interviews with Pam Muise, a pastor who knew John-Paul for many years.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of pastor
Noun
  • However, a reverend in Zambia — Billiance Chondwe — says he's noticed a change.
    — Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 18 June 2026
  • Spirtual foundation Astara, where Guidera reportedly served as a reverend, paid tribute to the late actor in an emotional social media post over the weekend.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Definition of reverend

Phrases Containing priest

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pries
priest
priestess
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Cite this Entry

“Priest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/priest. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on priest

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about priest

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